THE

SEASONS.

THE

SEASONS,

BY

JAMES THOMSON.

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,

THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR,

BY PATRICK MURDOCH, D.D. F.R.S.

AND AN ESSAY ON

THE PLAN AND MANNER OF THE POEM:

BY J. AIKIN, M.D.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY A. STRAHAN;

For G. G. & J. Robinson, R. Baldwin, F. & C. Rivington,
W. J. & J. Richardson, T. Payne, W. Lowndes, G. Wilkie,
Ogilvy & Son, J. Scatchard, Vernor & Hood, J. Nunn,
T. N. Longman, Cadell jun. & Davies, Carpenter & Co.;
and T. Hurst.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY APR 7 1961

AN

ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF

Mr. JAMES THOMSON.

IT is commonly faid, that the life of a good writer is beft read in his works; which can fcarce fail to receive a peculiar tincture from his temper, manners, and habits; the distinguishing character of his mind, his ruling paffion, at leaft, will there appear undifguifed. But however juft this obfervation may be, and although we might fafely reft Mr. Thomson's fame, as a good man, as well as a man of genius, on this fole footing; yet the defire which the Public always fhew of being more particularly acquainted